DiscoverBien Unido
Discover the natural beauty, culture and heritage of Bien Unido.
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit Bien Unido
Reason 01
A Sneak Peak into Bien Unido
- Holidays to Bien Unido present a serene anchor in the North coast of Bohol where the sea is the core of everyday living and the horizon is the Cebu Strait.
- The town is also known as the Giant Clam Capital due to the co-operation between fishermen and conservationists who have to work together to preserve the Tridacna gigas which are endangered creatures that grow in the waters.
- The municipality is topped with a smooth coastline that welcomes tourists to walk across sandy strips, inhale the salty winds and see the sun setting beyond the islands.
- The marine culture of Bien Unido is also experienced in its emerging ecotourism programmes, where tours are conducted to educate tourists to study the delicate ocean ecosystem and treat it with care.
- The local economy, which is mostly constructed of sustainable fishing and aquaculture, is not very large but well preserved giving a chance to have a glimpse of a society that lives in harmony with the sea.
- To people who intend to take a holidays to Bien Unido, the town offers a pure experience of life in the Philippine islands that are not marred with the activities of other big tourist destinations.
- Capital (of the province): Tagbilaran City
- International airport: None in Bien Unido
- Nearest commonly used airports:
- Bohol-Panglao International Airport (Panglao Island, Bohol) – major international and domestic flights
- Mactan-Cebu International Airport (Cebu City, Cebu) – alternative major international gateway
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Time zone: UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
- Driving side: Right-hand side
- Main electricity: 220 volts, 60 Hz
- Official / local languages: Cebuano (Boholano), Filipino, English
- Major religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic
Reason 02
Highlights
- The main attraction is the Giant Clam Sanctuary at Danajon Bank where people get to see dozens of giant clams at their natural environment and also contribute to the conservation efforts being carried out.
- The double barrier reef of Danajon bank which is the only reef of its kind in the Philippines and one of a few in the rest of the world features an incredible ecosystem of coral so appealing to snorkellers and divers that it attracts visitors of all kinds around the world.
- Strategically, the viewers are able to look across the Cebu Strait and view the Lapu-Lapu-Lapu islands with their shapes making an echo of the far-off noise of Cebu City.
- Fishing ports are busy in the town, with boats coming in and out of the town every day, fishermen recounting their sea storeys and that offers a rich cultural lesson.
- The small town centre of Bien Unido with a small municipal hall and a central plaza illustrates the slowness of life in a maritime community.
- The adjacent marine conservation zone guarantees clear waters and the colourful underwater species, and the area is a perfect location to have responsible ecotourism.
Reason 03
Seasons to Travel
- November to May is the dry season and the weather is stable with calm sea and clear skies and thus the best season to go snorkelling, diving and boat tours to the sanctuary.
- Bien Unido is typified by a tropical climate and warm temperatures, and with high humidity, which are present throughout the year although the region is not in the major typhoon belt.
- It is important to note that the strong weather can interrupt the travel by a sea, thus, it is important to cheque the local schedules before the trip.
- Visiting in the dry months will also enable the participants to have more time under the sun and have a lot of activities outdoor without being interrupted by the rains.
- To see the maximum variety of marine life, the months of late spring and early summer tend to be clearer and the reef creatures are usually on the move.
- In the case of the holidays to Bien Unido, it is important to apply the world pinoy flights in order to be conveniently reached and have access to dependable transportation and then the travellers can concentrate in the natural beauty of the island.
Reason 04
Worth A Visit
Giant Clam Sanctuary
- Take a boat ride through the shrine, where the water is as clear as a bottle and the clam like a huge pearl.
- You can see that the clams are well monitored, and the local conservationists have a strict programme to ensure the survival of the species.
- The participants are advised to abide by the rules given by the sanctuary, which will leave the ecosystem undisrupted.
- The educational signs in the sanctuary describe the life cycle of the giant clam and its significance to the environment.
- Snorkelers are able to approach the coral gardens that create the natural habitat of the clams giving them an excellent underwater experience.
- It is a visual treat and a learning experience in a living classroom on marine stewardship.
Coastal Viewpoints
- Visit the top points of the town, where you have panorama views of the Cebu Strait and other adjacent islands.
- The sunsets in this place are very spectacular and tint the sky with colours of orange, pink and purple colours which are ideal in photography.
- Tourists have the option of enjoying the sound of the waves beating the beach as they rest in the shade.
- Local guides usually tell folklore of the sea that provides a cultural dimension to the picturesque background.
- It has the best sites that can be viewed on foot, and thus making it the best site to see by all ages of people irrespective of their fitness.
- During the twilight, the place is calm and provides a tranquil venue to think and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Bien Unido Town Proper
- Visit the municipal hall, whereby the history of the local government can be found with the form of plaques and artefacts.
- There is a large marketplace at the centre, where craftsmen and farmers offer handmade goods and food.
- A walk through the town shows very well-kept streets, coloured houses and attentive respect to the national traditions.
- Local people can experience the local lifestyle where neighbours meet new ones, the warm Filipino hospitality.
- The town plan is walkable and this enables the tourists to feel the daily pulse of this seaside town.
- Evenings in the plaza allow having the pleasure of the local stalls with the local street food and live music by local musicians.
Local Fishing Ports
- See the morning traffic with the fishing boats coming back home with freshly caught fish, crabs and lobsters.
- The wharf is a feast to the senses: there is the smell of saltwater and the odour of freshly cooked seafood.
- Fishermen usually like to have tourists and share their misfortunes and victories in the sea.
- The tools and techniques of simple nature seen can serve to give an insight of a traditional life style that still is present today.
- The residents of a particular area will occasionally invite tourists to aid in cooking meals, which indicates they are willing to share their cultural meals.
- The ports act as a natural experiment of learning how to fish sustainably and how the community is resilient.
Reason 05
Discover More
Danajon Bank Access
- Ask the certified dive operators the most appropriate routes to be taken to the double barrier reef in the Danajon Bank.
- The divers will be met with a mix of different types of corals, including colourful sponges and complex brain corals.
- The rare design of the reef provides an unexpectedly wide range of species of different fish that have adapted to their niches.
- Snorkelers will also see sea turtles and rays which are swimming calmly within the shallow areas of the reef.
- The region is also wild, and tourists are required to follow strict policies in order to conserve its delicate ecosystems.
- A guided tour provides the educational views of reef science and the need to conserve the oceans.
Local Market
- The crowded palengke is early, and here the sellers offer a palette of tropical fruits, vegetables and spices.
- Fresh seafood is the main product, and fish, shellfish, and crustaceans are taken every day in the surrounding waters.
- There are visitors who can sample little pieces of local delicacies, including kinilaw and humba, being cooked before them.
- It is a social centre where the locals gossip, exchange recipes and bond their communities.
- Handmakers sell customised crafts such as woven baskets, embroidered clothes and woven hats to the tourists.
- The bustling spirit of the market offers a vibrant glimpse at the local life and business.
Proximity to Lapinig Island
- The entry point to the untouched paradise of Lapinig Island, which has a white-sand beach and clear water, is Bien Unido.
- Tourists will be able to book boat trips with snorkelling visit, which will give them access to the coral gardens of the island.
- The trails around this island are uninhabited, and this features encourage hikers explore the mangroves and explore the hidden coves.
- A night on Lapinig is a chance of a lifetime to observe the sunrise in the open sea.
- The population on the island is low, and tourists are treated with a friendly relaxed environment.
- The island is isolated, and it offers the perfect destination to individuals seeking to avoid the masses and be close to nature.
St. Nicholas de Tolentino Parish Church
- The grandiose of the church facade is constructed during the $19^\text{th}$ century and shows the influence of the colonial architecture which covers the area.
- There is the interior where people can enjoy the elaborate carvings on the altar and the colourful paintings representing the scenes in Catholic folklore.
- The church premises have a serene garden where the locals go and reflect and pray.
- The town fiesta is celebrated in church and there are processions as well as Mass which unite the community.
- parishioners and clergy arrange invitations to their guests and teach the visitors about the religious traditions of the place and their strong foundations.
- There is a peaceful atmosphere of the church that is contrasted with the ocean life that is very dynamic outside of the church.
Reason 06
Culture Traditions
- Cebuano or Visayan is the local dialect, but most locals are very proud of inserting Filipino salutations in their dialogues.
- Marine conservation is not just an obligation but is part of the community in terms of identity where the people take part in preserving the reefs.
- The town unites around traditional festivals, which present dances and music and costumes that reflect centuries-long history.
- The people of the town are involved in sustainable fishing where traditional methods of fishing are passed down through generations keeping the seas sustainable.
- Community meetings usually include storytelling, in which senior members relate sea legends on the abundance of the sea, and its enigmas.
- Hospitality is innate; warm smiles, sharing meals, and visiting family celebrations are the welcoming of visitors.
Reason 07
Food Fun Fashion
Food
- Seafood is the focus: grilled fish fillets and steaming bowls of crab bisque are just two examples of how each dish emphasises the freshness of the catch.
- Kinilaw, or marinated, raw fish salad is a refreshing bite that is uniquely Visayan with a touch of vinegar, onions, and spices.
- Humba, pork stew cooked in soy sauce and spices, is a savoury and comforting dish that is popular in all the islands.
- Calamay is a sweet sticky rice loaded with coconut milk, which is wrapped in a shell of coconut and thus is delicious and portable at the same time.
- Fresh fruits such as bananas and mangos and papayas are available in plenty in local markets and they are good to supplement any meal.
- Grilling on coals and steaming in banana leaves are traditional ways of cooking foods that do not affect the natural flavours of ingredients.
Fun
- The ecotourism activities, particularly the snorkelling and diving allow the guests to dive in the underwater world of the giant clam sanctuary which is a vivid colour environment.
- The dry season ensures that boat rides and wind surfing activities are safe and enjoyable as there is a calm sea all through.
- The tourists can spend time on the sandy beaches and listen to the lullaby of the waves.
- Fishing trips enable the tourists to acquire skills in casting fishing nets and reeling fish.
- When walking the beaches at night, it is possible to see fireflies and the sound of nocturnal marine animals.
- Games, parades and fireworks in local festivals celebrate the history and the happiness of the community.
Fashion
- Light clothing which is breathable like cotton short, shirt, and sundress are necessary to keep the body cool in the tropical climate.
- Swim suits and rashguards cover the skin when doing such activities in the water and they make their activities comfortable when exploring the reefs.
- Sandy or walking shoes or comfortable sandals would be better when walking through the irregular beach paths and streets of the town.
- Sunglasses and a large hat are convenient in shielding against the intense sun and also add style to the outfit.
- Basic jewellery or accessories crafted out of local materials will bring the taste of the local to it without losing its comfort.
- Tourists usually choose simple attire when going to places of worship so that they will not offend the local traditions.
Reason 08
Nature Safari
- The giant clam sanctuary has a very large marine reserve that demonstrates great biodiversity in the Danajon Bank.
- The triple barrier reef in Danajon Bank presents a marine biologist laboratory and a tourism attraction of wonder to the divers.
- The Cebu Strait is a natural passageway, which connects the Cebu and Bohol waters and affects the local marine currents.
- Mangrove forests on the shoreline are crucial breeding areas of fish as well as an erosion buffer.
- Dunes are the preservation of tiny dunes along the coastline, which sustain tough grasses that stabilise the coastline and provide habitats to native birds.
- Migratory birds at times fly into the region and the birdwatchers have an opportunity to see some of the rare sights for holidays to Bien Unido.
Reason 09
Events Fiestas
- The holidays to Bien Unido Town Fiesta, celebrated every $10^\text{th}$ of September, does a tribute to the patron saint St. Nicholas de Tolentino through Masses and processions.
- Lanterns of all colours adorn the streets of the town during the fiesta and there is a lot of dancing to the lively music played by local bands.
- The plaza has food stalls that sell a variety of local delicacies that enable one to experience the flavours of the region.
- there is a great fireworks display at night, which gives the sky a rich colour, and attracts hundreds of people who come to watch it.
- The festival involves traditional dances in which artistic heritage of the community is presented and the impact of the Spanish culture is evident.
- One event that fits the conservation efforts is a Giant Clam Day celebration, which will include educational booths and reef tours, to marine conservationists.